New Butcher job (Polly is scared of grinders...)

I'm moving out. The only job that I can get as of right now is in a meat department of a local SuperMarket. Now, I'm scared out of my mind. I know I have to take the job, but my friend knows a father/son duo who have lost a combined total of 3 fingers to a meat grinder, and they knew how to use one for years before they lost them. What are the chances of me loosing a finger? They have good benefits, and good pay... but still.

They flinched when I said I couldn't work some nights, and thought I was insane when I said most people DO work 9 to 5..... But I've got the job, if I want it. Interview is tomorrow at 1PM.

I just got this weird vision when they said "Meat Grinder and Electric Saw". My hand going in one side and out the other....

IME, it wasn't the young pups who were missing any digits because they had a healthy fear of the meat saws, the knives, the grinders, the garbage disposals, the deep fryers, and the big mixers.

It seemed like it was always the guys who had been doing it for years and who had become complacent and felt the job was tedious who were missing something ------ ESPECIALLY, those who toked up/drank/got medicated at work!

My advice - get the money while it's there, but move on whenever there's another opening, before you get complacent and don't give the tools the respect they deserve.

Hey, I am sure that they have a good accidental dismemberment insurance policy. So look on the bright side. If you lose your left index finger, you will have $10000 to spend on new bass gear. If you can still play, that is.

I worked in a deli for a year a while back where one of the main things I did was cut coldcuts. I was terrified for the same reasons as you. Thankfully, all my fingers are still in tact. I agree with what Rickbass said. The people who lose and cut fingers are the experienced ones who are very sure of themselves. If you're anything like me any and every time you approach something that if misused can ruin your livelyhood and love, you will approach it with the utmost respect, care and caution. I don't think you'll have any problems.

I've been working as a butcher for over 10 years now.
I had to pick a few fingers that where cut though!! Luckily those never been mine!
Just be very careful, when you work on the saw be sure to work at your own rythm.
You need to work fast, they will ask you to and you have to perform, but while you are on the saw, just be careful!

I have almost finished my Butcher's apprenticeship and i have yet to see anybody lose a finger. In Australia (It may be different over there) you must be at least into the third year of your apprenticeship to be able to use a meat grinder or a band saw. The only advice i can really offer is learn everything about the machinery and the Number 1 rule is Dont be afraid of the machines but Respect them and always be aware of what they can do.

Originally posted by PICK In Australia (It may be different over there) you must be at least into the third year of your apprenticeship to be able to use a meat grinder or a band saw....

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Your guess is correct, Pick...it is different in the U.S.
My experience has been that a higher-ranking employee says, "Come over here and I'll show you how to cut chops off of a loin using the bandsaw," you watch them do it for a minute, and then you're on your own till you have to ask how to take it apart to clean it.

Seriously, you feed chunks of meat into a big metal worm, the worm turns, crushes the meat and carries the meat to rotating blades which force the meat through a plate full of small holes. The result looks like "dreadlocks" of meat.

Originally posted by rickbass Your guess is correct, Pick...it is different in the U.S.
My experience has been that a higher-ranking employee says, "Come over here and I'll show you how to cut chops off of a loin using the bandsaw," you watch them do it for a minute, and then you're on your own till you have to ask how to take it apart to clean it.

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Here in Quebec it's different (in the rest of the Canada it work like in the US) We have at least 3 month of theory classes before we can actualy use a knife or the band saw.

I worked in fish portion production for a number of years. We had 18 employees working saws, day in, day out.

No accidents. No employer wants an accident, it is bad for business and employee relations.
I have always tried to set up the situations so they were safe. Adjust the saws properly so that
the guards do what they are designed to do. Never operate a saw that has no guards.

It is actually a decent job, if you give it a chance. Butchers who are good can make good money. RESPECT! and like Rickbass said, Don't smoke up at work. That's no RESPECT for power equipment.